Thursday, October 4, 2018

Lummi Island, Whatcom County
Eliza called it Isla de Pacheco, a portion of the name of the viceroy of
Mexico. Wilkes changed the name to McLoughlin Island to honor Dr. John
McLoughlin, Hudson's Bay Co. factor at Fort Vancouver. In 1853 the U.S.
Coast Survey adopted the present name "because inhabited by the tribe."
The Indian name Lummi or Nah-lummi is applied to other geographic
features in the area: Lummi Bay between the island and the mainland's
Lummi Indian Reservation, through which flows and Lummi River.
(Washington State Place Names)

Sapsuckers
Yesterday's posting on the red-breasted sapsucker brought a few
comments. Reader Robert McFetridge wrote: "One of the most peculiar
aspects regarding the red-breasted sapsucker is the absence of sexual
dimorphism. Juvenile sapsuckers are darker but adults are
indistinguishable. I have wondered about this but cannot explain why
this might occur in such a brightly coloured bird where the cost of such
colouration is potentially high." And reader Don Norman wrote: "As
usual, Mike always has fun and interesting stories, and I thought I
would add to the longevity aspect of the red-breasted sapsucker story.
Woodpeckers are rarely captured in the passive banding programs. For
example, of the 4300 net captures of birds over 22 years at the Forterra
Morse Preserve in Graham, WA, by the Puget Sound Bird Observatory, only
31 have been woodpeckers (9 downies, 13 sapsuckers, 3 flickers and 2
pileated for you curious birders). We have never had a recapture. The
two woodpeckers for which there has been directed research on their life
histories, the Red-cockaded and the Acorn, their oldest aged birds are
16 and 17 years, respectively. I would find no reason to suspect that
some sapsuckers live that long." Thanks for the comments!

Trump administration repeals train safety regulation, triggering new oil spill fears
The Trump administration has repealed a safety regulation governing
trains that carry large quantities of oil, sparking new fears among
Washington state officials and environmental activists that devastating
oil spills could be more likely. The Department of Transportation
announced last week that trains carrying flammable liquids such as crude
oil and ethanol would no longer be required to install electronically
controlled pneumatic braking systems, an Obama-era rule instituted to
decrease the chance of train derailments. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, a
Democrat, blasted the decision as a “reckless disregard for the life and
property of all who live or work along the rail tracks” that transport
oil. Kellen Browning reports. (Tacoma News Tribune)

LNG Canada could be 'carbon bomb' that blows up B.C.'s climate goals, critic warns
The economic benefits of the now-approved LNG Canada liquefied natural
gas project in northern B.C. are said to be massive, but environmental
advocates and experts are concerned the climate change impacts could be
just as large. "How are we going to meet our legislated greenhouse gas
targets when this substantial increase in emissions is happening?" Ian
Bruce, a director with the David Suzuki Foundation, asked Tuesday. "We
don't have a credible climate change strategy that's been released by
the province…. Moving forward at this stage is likely very
irresponsible." The provincial government maintains that B.C. will meet
its climate change targets, however, even with this project going ahead,
and there will be a climate plan released soon. Liam Britten reports.
(CBC)

B.C. to intervene in Trans Mountain pipeline review
The B.C. government has filed to register as an intervenor in the
National Energy Board's reconsideration of aspects of the Trans Mountain
pipeline expansion. But Environment Minister George Heyman questions
whether the 22-week timeline set by the federal government is
sufficient. "The courts found, as we had said, that the marine impacts
haven't been properly considered, so of course we are going to intervene
in the NEB process to ensure it's a robust process," he said. "The
federal government should not have pre-determined the amount of time the
NEB should take. It's important that the process is thorough." (CBC)

New tool lets citizens help reveal toxic cause of salmon death
Salmon exposed to toxic stormwater runoff can die in a matter of hours,
and scientists are asking for Puget Sound area residents’ help in
identifying affected streams to study the phenomenon. The Puget Sound
Stormwater Science Team (PSSST) has been studying the effects of
stormwater runoff on Pacific salmon species for almost two decades. That
team is comprised of scientists from the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) and
Washington State University.Working to narrow down the toxic chemicals
that are likely responsible, the team is unveiling a new interactive website that lets citizen volunteers help map salmon deaths. (WSU News)

Officials warn of potentially lethal levels of biotoxin in Bellingham Bay mussels
The Whatcom County Health Department is warning residents that a common
biotoxin is now at potentially lethal levels in mussels harvested in
Bellingham Bay. State officials have also expanded the shellfish closure
list this week to include all beaches from Birch Point south to the
Skagit County line, including Larrabee State Park. It is not uncommon
for the Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning biotoxin to reach elevated levels
in this area, but testing showed higher levels than normally seen in
Bellingham Bay, said Mark Raaka, a public health preparedness specialist
for Whatcom County. Dave Gallagher reports. (Bellingham Herald)

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Salish Sea Communications provides communications and public relations services that raise visibility and engage audiences. Drawing on over 30 years experience in private, public and not-for-profit work, Mike Sato brings to you his skills and insights in developing and carrying out your print, electronic and social media projects and products. "I've been in the communications business since 1977 starting with community weekly newspapers then working for Seattle City Light, the Puget Sound Water Quality Authority, Hawaiian Electric Company and, for 20 years, People For Puget Sound." Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told. WA State UBI #601395482